Category Lead for Debt Support and Advice Services

The Money and Pensions Service; Bedford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A public body for financial guidance based in Bedford seeks a Category Lead to oversee sourcing contracts and managing grants. This role involves leading a team while ensuring effective commercial strategies and relationship management. Ideal candidates will have commercial expertise, strong decision-making skills, and the ability to work in a dynamic environment. We offer a modern office and a commitment to inclusivity in the workplace.

Benefits

Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays

Pension scheme with matched contributions

Interest-free loan for season tickets

Cycle to work Scheme

Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs

Life assurance scheme

Employee assistance programme (EAP)

Paid volunteering (2 days a year)

Recognition Scheme

Discounts portal to numerous retailers

Qualifications

• Proven ability to operate in a dynamic environment and make sound decisions.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills with a history of building credibility with stakeholders.
• Knowledge of PCR2015 and PA23 regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial activity for contracts and grants including procurement.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with stakeholders.
• Line manage team members ensuring their wellbeing and development.
• Manage commercial governance in MAPS and related offices.

Skills

Commercial expertise

Decision making

Relationship building

Regulation interpretation

Education

MCIPS or equivalent

Job description

We are a public body with a commitment to ensuring that people throughout the UK have guidance and access to the information they need to make effective financial decisions over their lifetime. Join us to support the team that provides debt advisory services and money guidance. As the Category Lead, you will oversee sourcing contracts and allocating grants to a diverse range of suppliers, mainly in professional services provision, leading a small team to provide great commercial support for Debt – the team that supports people with information and advice on debt and free debt advice. This means sourcing contracts and allocating grants, supporting onboarding contract and grants and providing commercial advice and assistance across the whole contract lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead commercial activity and provide commercial advice across the full commercial lifecycle for both contracts and grants including make or buy decisions, commercial and sourcing strategies, procurement, commercial contract management and contract exit or transition.
• Develop effective and collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders.
• Develop effective relationships with suppliers identifying and realising opportunities for value add.
• Line manage up to 3 team members looking after their own wellbeing and development.
• Inform and shape MaPS strategies for delivery of services and going to market.
• Manage commercial governance in MAPS, DWP and Cabinet Office.

Qualifications & Expectations

• Commercial expertise, ideally MCIPS or equivalent with experience across the full commercial lifecycle from strategy, sourcing and procurement and commercial contract management. Knowledge of the Government Functional Standard for Grants would be helpful but not mandatory.
• Decisive: Able to operate in a dynamic and fast‑pacing environment and to make sound decisions and recommendations.
• Relationship Building and Influencing: Outstanding interpersonal and communication skills, with a proven ability to build credibility with partners/stakeholders and constructively challenge situations where needed to improve outcomes.
• Interprets regulation: we are regulated by PCR2015 and PA23 and adopt the government functional standard for grants.

The Money and Pensions Service (MaPS) is based in Bedford, in a recently renovated modern office. This is a wonderful opportunity for you to become an integral part of a dynamic organisation, working to help people across the UK.

Values

• Caring: We care about our colleagues and the people whose lives we are here to transform.
• Connecting: We will transform lives through our ability to make positive connections.
• Transforming: We are committed to transforming lives and making a positive societal impact.

Inclusive Working Environment

By fostering our values, we are immensely proud of the inclusive working environment that we have created. The diversity of our people is a strength that we embrace and wish to build upon, so we are committed to attracting people of all backgrounds. We work hard to ensure that we have a progressive approach to inclusion, equity, and belonging. We really do want our colleagues to bring their whole selves to work. Our colleague and ally networks encompass LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, women's health, men's health, ethnicity, and diversity.

What We Offer

• Generous Annual Leave – 30 days plus Bank Holidays.
• Pension scheme – contributions matched 2 to 1 (up to 10% of your salary).
• Interest‑free loan for season tickets for buses and trains.
• Cycle to work Scheme.
• Subsidised eye tests & flu jabs.
• Life assurance scheme.
• Give as you earn scheme.
• Employee assistance programme (EAP).
• PAM Assist and PAM Life scheme (Wellbeing).
• Enhanced family and sick pay.
• Paid volunteering (2 days a year).
• Recognition Scheme.
• Discounts portal to numerous retailers.